We are so excited to partner with UCF to bring Dance Marathon to TFA, aka Royal-Thon! The 6th annual event was a huge success that raised nearly $146,000 for Children’s Miracle Network and Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital in 2024. All of the students and staff who were involved are so appreciative of everyone’s support. More than 1,000 Lower, Middle, and Upper School students danced in an effort to “Change Kids’ Health, Change the Future.”
Lower School students participated in Royal-Thon during the school day, learning the Morale Dance alongside Upper School Dance Marathon Committee leaders. Middle School students competed in a Dodgeball and Just Dance Tournament. Then Upper School students celebrated the sixth annual Royal-Thon in the Language Ministry Center.
Royal-Thon 2026
The 8th Annual Royal-Thon is Friday, February 20, 2026, featuring our theme, Light Up the Night! Be sure to follow @TFADanceMarathon on Instagram for the latest updates, including upcoming Spirit Night and other fundraising events.
Upcoming Events
- MS & US Spirit Week 2/17 – 2/20
- All MS & US students are invited to dress up according to the daily theme for Royal-Thon Spirit Wear Days next week! Students, faculty, and staff may participate in the daily theme or follow the normal Monday-Thursday dress code. Remember, all outfits must follow dress code rules concerning shorts, skirts, and tops
- Tuesday, 2/17 – Glow Day: neon colors, glow sticks, reflective gear, light-up shoes
- Wednesday, 2/18 – Out of this World: stars, moon, astronauts, galaxy
- Thursday, 2/19 – Stars v. Stripes: Red, White, and Blue
- Friday, 2/20 – Purple Day for Royal-Thon!
- All MS & US students are invited to dress up according to the daily theme for Royal-Thon Spirit Wear Days next week! Students, faculty, and staff may participate in the daily theme or follow the normal Monday-Thursday dress code. Remember, all outfits must follow dress code rules concerning shorts, skirts, and tops
- MS Royal-Thon on 2/20
- Middle School students will participate in Royal-Thon during 7th period on Friday, February 20.
- Students are encouraged to bring cash with them to buy concessions and use for games during the event.
- US Royal-Thon on 2/20
- Upper School students can buy tickets to the main event scheduled for Friday from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm in Faith Hall.
- Annual Silent Auction 2/14 – 2/21
- Bid online from 5:00 pm on Friday, Feb. 13 until 8:00 pm on Friday, Feb. 20 on some amazing items, including:
- LS Principal for a Day
- LS Spirit Wear Passes
- Reserved Seats to LS Evening of the Arts
- MS Spirit Wear Pass
- 12th grader for a Day
- Reserved Seats for End-of-Year Awards Ceremonies and Graduation
- Bid online from 5:00 pm on Friday, Feb. 13 until 8:00 pm on Friday, Feb. 20 on some amazing items, including:
Donate to Royal-Thon
- Support Royal-Thon via Donor Drive
How to Help
For more information on how we’re supporting Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, click here.
We need the support of TFA families and the community to make Royal-Thon 2026 an even bigger success. If you’re interested in helping Royal-Thon, please contact dancemarathon@thefirstacademy.org if you are interested in offering support in these areas:
- Silent Auction Items
- Vendor Contributions
- Pre-Event Support (Spirit Nights, Candy Grams, Coin Drive, etc.)
- Lower & Middle School Divisional Support
Kids Can’t Wait
Royal-Thon and the Dance Marathon movement is about students united to change kids’ health and change the future by raising the critical funds needed by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. We are passionate about making a difference for kids and families in our local communities. Kids can’t wait so neither should you.
- Children’s Miracle Network generates support and awareness for over 170 Children’s Hospital in North America, including Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital in Orlando.
- All of the support we collect for CMN stays in Orlando to help local kids.
- We partner with UCF’s Knight-Thon to support their Dance Marathon initiative.
- Dance Marathon is more than just an annual event, it’s a national movement that culminates with a celebration featuring dancing, special events, moving Miracle Family testimonies and more.
- To date, Royal-Thon has raised more than $471,590 for Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital.
Return to this page throughout the year for more details on how and why we’re partnering with UCF, Dance Marathon & Children’s Miracle Network!